Approximately 45,000 property tax statements were mailed to La Plata County property owners in late January. According to Colorado state law, owners can pay in either two half payments or in one full payment. Partial payments are not accepted and will be returned. Why is this? To protect your property, and to save taxpayer dollars on processing tax payments – both good benefits.
How does this rule protect your property, and your pocketbook? When tax payments are received after the deadline, interest and delinquent fees are added to the bill. According to the law, interest and fees are paid first, and then the rest of the money sent is applied to the taxes due.
Sometimes this leaves a very, very small amount due, which may seem insignificant, but will have a huge impact on you when the tax lien sale happens in November! Your tax lien could be purchased by an investor at that time, and then your minuscule amount due, will have ballooned into a big amount due. And you may not even be aware of this, because you remember you sent in your property tax payment many months ago.
Please pay attention to the due dates, and the amount you pay: a full-half payment or a full-full payment. The first half payment deadline is fast approaching: February 28th.
The most efficient and effective way to pay your property taxes is by using the County’s website and paying by e-check at laplatacounty.org. Go to the Treasurer’s page, and click on the red link to pay your property taxes. You will need to enter your tax account number, as well as your bank routing and account number. The Treasurer’s office thanks you for paying your taxes electronically.
Please contact me at Allison.aichele@co.laplata.co.us if you have any questions or concerns with your property tax bill.
Allison Aichele, La Plata County Treasurer
Durango